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Barker to retire as 'Price' host

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Daytime TV icon Bob Barker is retiring after half a century on television and 35 years as the host of CBS' "The Price Is Right."

Emmy winner Barker, who turns 83 in December, said Tuesday that he will hang up his microphone in June when his current deal on the long-running CBS game show is up.

"We knew this day would come, but that doesn't make it any easier," CBS Corp. president and CEO Leslie Moonves said. "Bob Barker is a daytime legend, an entertainment icon and one of the most beloved television personalities of our time."

"Price" will continue after Barker's retirement, a CBS spokesman said, declining further details. "It's premature to discuss any transition plans right now," he said. "Our focus now is giving Bob a proper sendoff."

The network's sendoff to Barker will be punctuated by a primetime special celebrating the TV veteran's career. The special, which was in the works before Barker's retirement announcement, is expected to air in May.

Barker, who began his broadcast career in radio, got his big break in 1956 when he was named the host of NBC's "Truth or Consequences." He had an 18-year run on the daytime game show, the final two years pulling double hosting duty on "Truth" and Goodson-Todman Prods.' "Price," which is now produced by FremantleMedia North America.

In recognition of Barker's impact on daytime TV, Stage 33 at CBS Television City in Los Angeles was rededicated as the Bob Barker Studio in a ceremony after the taping of the 5,000th episode of "Price" in 1998.